What Emotional Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy Told Team USA Before 4 Nations Final

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy had a huge impact on Team USA in the first two round-robin wins in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

However, McAvoy sustained an upper-body injury that kept the blueliner out of the final two games, including the final against Canada at TD Garden on Thursday. McAvoy was discharged from Massachusetts General Brigham ahead of puck drop and even made a special appearance in the locker room to announce Team USA’s starting lineup for the gold medal game.

After Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan announced the “special guest,” the players greeted their injured teammates with cheers and applause.

“To be a part of this group, and what we did in Montreal, like I wouldn’t,” an emotional McAvoy started to say, per league-provided video. “I want to play so (expletive) bad tonight, but I wouldn’t trade it. I would go through it again to be a part of this (expletive) team.”

Without McAvoy on the blue line and Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk unable to play the full game against Canada, Team USA fell 3-2 in overtime in front of a sellout crowd in Boston.

A timetable for McAvoy’s return is unknown as the Bruins get back to work against the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night. With 25 games remaining in the regular season, the Black and Gold are two points outside of a wild card spot.